So, like, if teletypes were so quickly transmitted from the far corners of the earth, then why the big deal about a radio transmitter - using old Morse Code no less?

Sarnoff (The General) worked for Marconi as a telegraph operator as a teenager. He clawed his way into running RCA, after it was divested from GE and Westinghouse in 1932. He befriended Major Edwin Armstrong who invented FM, then kicked him out of the lab in the Empire State Building after he realized it would compete with his AM equipment and stations. Armstrong's FM patent was used by the U.S. Government royalty free for WWII. However after the War, Sarnoff refused to pay Armstrong royalties and lobbied the FCC to change the FM band from 42-50 MHz. to 88-108 MHz. driving Armstrong out of business and eventual suicide. "The General" was not a nice man.

An interesting pictorial piece of 1950's history when the largest radio transmitter was dedicated.

Contrary to the review written by Mr. Wolf, Jim Creek Naval Radio Station has not been decommisioned and in fact has been upgraded and has gone digital over the years. It is still very much in operation (March 2008). Jim Creek Wilderness Recreation Area (Operated by the Navy as a Moral, Welfare and Recreation facility) is also located on the site. Public access to the recreation facilities has been limited since the 1st gulf war, and is now closed off almost entirely.

The worlds largest radio transmitter is opened up in this reel, and of course, that brings out the big wigs out to see how it works. The fist message is sent by General David Sarnoff of RCA. He, if this is right, either was the Titanic radio operator or received word the Titanic was sinking. It wasnt made clear here. Anyways, the newsreel also errs in saying that this was the LARGEST radio transmitter. But any Onion reader knows that a transmitter, I believe 5000 feet high, was built by RKO in the late 40s and perched on top of the earth beaming out lightning letters An RKO Picture with a high tone frequency.

It is always interesting to see old films of places you have been. In this case, Jim Creek, which is located north of Darrington, WA in Snohomish County (north east of Seattle). The Navy still owns the land that "Radio Jim Creek" stands on, but the radio broadcast towers have been long decommissioned, I believe superceded by satellites some time in the 1960s. Now, the area is run as a recreation area for the many Naval family stationed at Whidbey Island NAS and Everett.

As for the reel itself, a pretty standard period newsreel, full of shots of dignitaries and officials, and some nice shots of the towers and power lines themselves, which really were impressive for the time.

Very nice, but what a pity Mr. Sarnoff didn't take the trouble to clean his nails first.